CEC Theatres Opens With Crown-JBL Digital-B-Chain™ System

Saturday, June 17, 2006 12:00:00 AM America/New_York

CEC Theatre UltraScreen in Waterloo, Iowa

ELKHART - June 2006 -- Digital B-Chain (DBC®) technology has an increasing presence in cinema today as CEC Theatres in Waterloo, Iowa opens the newest theatre equipped with Crown’s DBC System. CEC sound technician Craig Seidenkranz applauds the system: “By using a DBC System, with Crown CTs Amplifiers, HiQnet™ modules and DTS XD-10, we have a true digital signal from start to finish. The clarity and power capability is awesome. It’s the best sound I’ve heard in a theatre since I began working as a sound technician in 1981.”

The DBC System is an advanced approach to digital cinema audio. The heart of the system is the Crown DBC Network Bridge. This central unit accepts standard analog and/or AES digital audio and CobraNet™ digital channels from other cinema processors, cinema Servers, or alternative content media players; and bridges them to a DBC network over standard Fast Ethernet hardware and cabling to DBC-compatible Crown amplifiers. The DBC Network Bridge also provides necessary system processing, which can be stored and recalled via onboard presets. JBL ScreenArray® cinema systems featuring Academy Award® winning technology complete the DBC System.

Equipment rack at CEC Theatre UltraScreen in Waterloo, Iowa

In the Waterloo example, the primary signal source is a DTS XD-10 digital audio output cinema media player and a second source using a Dolby DA 20 digital adapter with an Ultra-Stereo JSD 80 sound processor. Located behind the screen are JBL 4632 three-way ScreenArray speaker systems for screen channels, six JBL 4642A subwoofers and twenty JBL 8340A surround speakers. Three CTs 2000 amplifiers are used for the stage speakers, three CTs 3000s for the subwoofers and three CTs 2000 amplifiers for the surround channels.

This technology offers several unique advantages. The system provides redundancy to minimize the possibility of sound problems. In addition to two digital sound format sources, CEC implemented two complete network systems and conventional analog wiring as a third system. From a projectionist’s perspective, the system is easy to operate as it shuts down automatically when not in use and wakes up when it receives a signal.

Chuck Goodsell, JBL Professional’s Director of Cinema Marketing notes: “Digital B-Chain Technology is being applauded by audiences and exhibitors alike. Incorporated into the cinema experience at CEC Theatres are Crown DBC enabled amplifiers and JBL’s award winning ScreenArray speakers. CEC Theatres realize the advantages of lower infrastructure and operating costs, system wide diagnostics, and applications for alternative content, while the audience experiences superior digital sound provided by DBC networked digital cinema audio.” Stephen Morris, Director of Marketing for Cinema at Crown, adds: “DBC also offers unprecedented customization and multiple layers of password protection. By setting up simple and intuitive custom control pages in the software, CEC Theatres assured that the appropriate information and control is available to all users of their system, at all times. This flexibility makes the DBC System the perfect platform for everyone from system designers to projectionists.”

Custom Control Screen for DBC System at CEC Theatre UltraScreen in Waterloo, Iowa

CEC Theaters is so pleased with the success of the Digital B- Chain system that they are planning to install the system in additional theaters. According to Vice President of CEC Theatres, Tony Tillemans, “As part of our theatre project in Waterloo, we wanted to build one auditorium that would stand out from the norm. We not only wanted to impress the customers with the size of the auditorium but also “wow” them with the sound system. We feel the decision to go with the Crown/JBL Digital B-Chain system allowed us to accomplish this. We look forward to installing the same system in an auditorium we have being constructed in Fargo, North Dakota.”

ABOUT CROWN INTERNATIONALCrown International manufactures amplifiers, microphones, and systems control products for professional audio markets worldwide, with corporate headquarters located in Elkhart, Indiana. For more information, visit Crown online at www.crownaudio.com.

ABOUT JBL PROFESSIONALHeadquartered in Northridge, California, JBL Professional is the world’s leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of professional loudspeakers for recording and broadcast, musician, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. Celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2006, JBL Professional is the proud recipient of the 2005 Technical GRAMMY® award. JBL Professional is part of the Harman International network of professional and consumer audio companies. For complete product and company information, go to the JBL Professional website at www.jblpro.com.

ABOUT THE HARMAN PRO GROUPHeadquartered in Northridge, California, the Harman Pro Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: HAR. Harman Pro Group companies include AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, dbx, Crown International, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer.

ABOUT CEC THEATRESCEC Theatres began a half-century ago in 1955, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. CEC Theatres currently operates over 240 screens in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Nebraska. With company headquarters still located in St. Cloud, MN, CEC Theatres remains a family-owned company with a commitment to bringing state-of-the art theatre facilities to the communities it serves. For more information, visit CEC Theatres online at www.cectheatres.com.